Focused Research Theme - Streptococcus pneumoniae and other Streptococci

Introduction:

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the commonest bacterial pathogen causing pneumonia, bacteraemia and meningitis worldwide. The initial focus was on antimicrobial resistance and clinical epidemiology of pneumococcal diseases in Hong Kong. However, with the introduction and incorporation of new vaccines into local immunization programmes, there is a need for surveillance of such infections, new methodologies for identification, molecular characterization and detection of prevalent serotypes, and understanding the mechanisms of development and spread of resistance determinants. The CUHK Department of Microbiology has a strong research interest in this and other related streptococci. The research group was established in 1999 and has evolved into a multidisciplinary research team involving paediatricians, respiratory physicians, epidemiologists, primary care specialists and bioinformaticians.